Posts
Anyone who knows me knows that housecleaning and I are not friends. I mean, I like a clean house as much as the next person, but house cleaning is just not one of my gifts. I am not one of those women who relieves stress by giving the carpets a good shampoo and scrub. (Although if you are such a woman, please come over and I will let you de-stress all you want at my house. I have windows that need cleaning too if you're having a really crappy day). That said, I have discovered that I cannot count on the steady appearance of roving bands of compulsive cleaners, looking for a house to scrub. And despite the "Welcome Free Maids!" sign in my yard, I needed another way to keep the house livable without expending too much effort.
Enter the robots.
I know I have blogged before about the AWESOME awesomeness of Roomba the Robotic Vacuum, but I think it bears repeating because YA'LL, IT'S A ROBOT THAT VACUUMS! Add to that Roomba's awesome robotic partner, the Bissell SpotBot, and a happier woman than I has never lived. While I lounge on the couch and
I thank the Lord daily that He has allowed me to live in the age of such technological wonders.
Anyway, for the past two or three years, everything has been just peachy in my world of domestic robotic help. Both robots toiled away at their daily tasks with nary a complaint. Then disaster struck. Inexplicably, the robots went on strike. Together. A couple of weeks ago the Roomba slipped a disk and refused to move anymore. Then, in a suspiciously suspicious coincidence, the pump on the SpotBot broke, effectively drying up the carpet sprayer and putting an end to my stain-removing nirvana. I begged. I pleaded. I threatened. I told them both to just walk it off, but to no avail. The robots wanted maintenance, and they knew exactly where to hit me where it hurt: my dirty carpet. I had no choice but to give in to their demands and bring in professional help.
Since both of them had managed to hang on until their respective warranties expired, Roomba was shipped off to the Robot Shop (a mail-order robot repair business specializing in Roombas), where a new brush motor and drive belts were installed. It took them three weeks, but they got it all taken care of. In comparison, the Bissell SpotBot was chauffeured around the city by yours truly until we found an authorized Bissell Repairman. The pump was replaced and hoses were flushed. And happily, both robots returned today, all fixed up and content to once again aid me in my battle against the evils of cat barf on carpet.
Some of you who are still living in the dark ages of pushing your vacuum around by hand are no doubt wondering if all this robotic upkeep is worth it. I mean, I just had to shell out $150 for robot repair for the two of them. But considering that just about every machine will experience wear and tear at some point, it's not that big of a shock. I mean, you wouldn't get rid of your car just because you had to to replace the air filter, right? Besides, knowing that while I sat here and prattled on the ol blog, those robots were industriously cleaning away in my living room, I'd say that they're worth every penny.
3 comments:
I'd leave a longer comment, but I'm off to buy some robots....
Oh, you lucky girl. I'm waiting to invest in robots until they come up with one that folds laundry, does the dishes and gives the kids a bath. Oh wait...I think his name is Jer :D Never mind. I should get the Roomba. I've always coveted my aunt's Roomba and the way my floors get gross each day, likely well worth the investment.
When I think of robots that vaccuum, I think of Rosie from "The Jetsons".
Post a Comment